Is this set good for a beginner?

Yes. It pairs colored pencils and soft pastels with a blending stump, kneaded eraser, sharpener and drawing pad, so a new artist has the basic tools in one box. The small color counts keep the choice simple.

Can I use the pastels on the included paper?

The pad is 68 lb (100 gsm), which handles light pastel work and colored pencil layering. Heavy pastel buildup or wet techniques may buckle the sheets, so keep layers light or use heavier paper.

How many colors does it have?

There are 12 colored pencils and 8 soft pastels, for 20 color tools in total. That is a modest range, better for practice and simple work than for detailed, color-heavy pieces.

A 9 x 12 in drawing pad with 24 sheets, 12 colored pencils, 8 soft pastels, one blending stump, one kneaded eraser and one sharpener.

Does it come with a case?

The set is a boxed kit with the tools and pad together. It is not described as having a zip case or fold-out organizer, so plan on a separate pouch if you want to carry it loose.

Is it better than buying pencils and pastels separately?

It is simpler and more compact than assembling a starter kit piece by piece. Separate purchases give more colors and heavier paper, but cost more effort to put together.